John J. Hardin

John Jay Hardin (6 January 1810-23 February 1847) was a member of the US House of Representatives from Illinois' 7th congressional district from 4 March 1843 to 3 March 1845, preceding Edward Dickinson Baker. Hardin served as colonel of the 1st Illinois Volunteers during the Mexican-American War, and he was killed at the Battle of Buena Vista in 1847. Hardin was the son of senator Martin D. Hardin and the father of General Martin Davis Hardin.

Biography
John Jay Hardin was born in Frankfort, Kentucky on 6 January 1810, the son of senator Martin D. Hardin. In 1831, he became a lawyer after graduating from Transylvania University, and he served in the Illinois militia during the Black Hawk War. From 1836 to 1842, he was a member of the state House of Representatives as a US Whig Party member, and he served in the US Congress from 1843 to 1845. When the Mexican-American War broke out, he returned to the army, recruiting the 1st Illinois Volunteers and becoming its colonel. Hardin was killed on 23 February 1847 while attempting to lead a charge against a Mexican Army artillery battery at the Battle of Buena Vista.